What did a pair of dice mean to someone living in the Middle Ages?

Far more than simple entertainment.

In this episode of Medieval Morsels, we journey into the lively taverns, bustling marketplaces, noble courts, and monastery cloisters of medieval Europe to uncover the surprising history of dice, gambling, and games of chance. From bone dice discovered by archaeologists to the thrilling game of Hazard—the medieval ancestor of modern craps—we explore how games shaped everyday life across every level of society.

Along the way, we'll examine fascinating primary sources from Tacitus, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Aquinas, and medieval church councils, while drawing on the work of leading historians and archaeologists to understand why gambling was both wildly popular and fiercely condemned. We'll also uncover evidence of loaded dice, me ...